Hydroelectric Power

Using Water As A Resource

Hydroelectric Power

Using Water As A Resource

What Is A Hydroelectric Dam?

In a Hydroelectric dam the water starts off in a reservoir, when water is needed for power the intake gate opens and let's the water through to the the penstock (tube) to the turbine. From the turbine, water creates hydroelectric power (hydro). The power then goes to power lines for people to use. When the water is done in the turbine, it goes to the river on the other side of the dam.

Effects An Hydroelectric Dam Has

Effects On The Enviroment, And People.

Water:

-if electricity isn't needed, the dam saves the water for the next time they do

-building a large dam alters the natural level of the water (natural water table level) example-> in Egypt, the Aswan dam has altered the level of the water table and it's now ruined ancient monuments

Environment:

-hydroelectric power prevents burning 22 billion gallons of oil

-when the dam is being used, it doesn't produce green house gases. They don't pollute the atmosphere

-the flooding of the large areas of the land means that the natural environment is destroyed

-when building the dam it triggered a number of erosions (earth quakes)

-May effect fish

People:

-the lake that forms behind the dam can be used for water activitys and purposes, such as boating, fishing, tubing, ect.

-the people living where it's going to be flooded for the dam will have to move out, some people have farms and businesses.